More Information

On the Web

For more healthy living products, tips and recipes check out Lane's blog at blog.timesunion.com/healthylife, on facebook at www.facebook.com/carinlane.healthylife, on twitter @tiredorinspired and Pinterest at pinterest.com/carinlane

Fit and Fab also appears in HealthyLife magazine. For a subscription, go to http://timesunion.com/healthylife and click on "Get the magazine" on the right hand side.

Page 1 of 1

Working out at home is a convenient and inexpensive alternative to the gym. To get started all you need is a space about the size of your bathtub — have more to spare? even better — and these fitness finds that can be easily stored in a closet or under your bed or the couch.

Resistance bands:

With a wide range of resistance levels and their ability to be easily stored, resistance bands are a great addition to weight workouts. They also offer greater flexibility of movement than traditional dumbbells and can easily be packed in your luggage or under your desk at work. You can also find kits that include multiple bands, bands that tone specific areas and workout DVDs.

Yoga mat:

A mat can add extra cushioning on hardwood or tile floors, as well as providing a non-skid surface for practicing yoga, Pilates or stretching. If you are new to yoga, there are mats that come with a pre-printed yoga sequence. To keep the mat fresh, let it air out for a few minutes after using it, wash it in the tub or rub it down with a hand towel and a little soap in warm water. Let it air dry completely before putting it away.

Jump rope:

If the kids can do it, so can you. Jumping rope is not only fun, but it can burn major calories and fat while toning your entire body in a short amount of time. You don't need anything fancy, a dollar store jump rope will work. If you really can't get the hang of it, there are cordless jump ropes that work just the same. Sorry, no excuses here.

Foam roller:

This multi-tasking tool can be used as part of your warm-up or to release muscle tension after a tough workout. Or use it while you work out, for an added stabilization challenge. Search the Internet for exercises with a roller, workout DVDs or download the foam roller app.

Free weights:

Weight training builds muscle. It's a known fact that the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn while at rest. You can buy 5-8 pounds to start, or if you can afford to splurge, adjustable dumbbells, which will give you the variation to work stronger muscles harder and not push the ones that aren't quite there yet. Again, there are a ton of apps or check out youtube.com for videos.

Balance disc:

Balance discs up the intensity and add a balance and flexibility challenge to your workouts. These discs easily inflate to a size that is more manageable than a stability ball, but offer all the same benefits. There are several styles to choose from, with textured tops for more stability, discs with ball-bearings to vary your movement, or ones with notches to incorporate resistance bands. Add this to a weight workout, or sit on it while watching TV or at work to challenge your core.

Want more fab gear:

I've given you the basics that won't break the bank or take up too much space. If you have the money to invest in larger equipment and are looking for more challenging workouts here are some other fit finds:

Proform Performance 400c treadmill: The treadmill costs less than $600, folds up for easy storage, has a heart rate monitor,18 workout apps, a CoolAire fan, a port for your iPod and ProShox cushioning that reduces impact by 28 percent.

TRX Suspension Trainer: Use your own body weight and the resistance cables to get a workout like no other. With various packages to choose from, workout DVDS and downloads, you have everything you need to work out at home or on the go.

Bosu: This blue, half-dome can transform the way you work out by adding balance, flexibility and intensity to every exercise. Various DVDs are available, or youtube.com is great.

GymBoss Interval Timer: Circuit training or HIIT workouts are a great way to burn fat and tone up fast. This stopwatch timer will help get you through your circuits without stopping or watching the clock.

Workout DVDs: I love every one of my workout DVDs, and refer to many of them often. DVDs are a great way to have your favorite celeb trainer at your fingertips, fit in exercise anywhere at any time and make sure you work out properly and hard enough to see results.

Personal trainer: In a perfect world we all would have a trainer, but we don't. However, splurging for one season with a trainer can give you the tools and comfort level necessary to do it at home on your own.

Where to find equipment:

You can purchase gear almost anywhere nowadays, including big box stores, sporting good stores and speciality sports shops. They sell everything you need, but here are a few other places that you might be able to get good deals: